In 2002, when the primary seat belt law went into effect, approximately 82 percent of Washington drivers wore seat belts and nearly 97 percent of Washington drivers are buckling up, today.

Now, law enforcement is focusing on another important traffic safety concern — distracted drivers who are texting and talking on their cell phones.

Between May 20 and June 2, motorists in Kitsap County can expect to see law enforcement patrolling city and county roads in search of unbuckled drivers and passengers and drivers using their cell phones.

Last year, during this same time period, officers on routine and extra patrols statewide issued 3,171 seat belt violations amongst the 11,047 motorists who were stopped.

Similarly, last year during this time period, 1,059 cell phone violations were written.

However, taking a historical look in 2010 — the same year cell phone use became a primary law in Washington — only 63 drivers were cited statewide.

The Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo and Suquamish Police Departments, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol will team up and participating in these extra patrols with the support of the Kitsap County Target Zero Task Force.

These and all extra patrols are part of Target Zero — striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030.

For more information, go online to www.targetzero.com. Additional information on the Washington Traffic Safety Commission can be found at www.wtsc.wa.gov.